
'■'fSSff'iiiiiii 








Class _J^12^ 
Book_^Pf3- 



POPP'S JOURNAL, 1777-1783. 



[In the city library at Bayreuth there is a manuscript with the for- 
midable title "History of the North American War, especially of the 
part taken in it by the two regiments from Bayreuth and Anspnch, 
described by one who served in the Bayreuth Regiment, named Stejihan 
Popp, from 1777-1783. I was twenty-two yeare of age when we 
marched to America." At the close of the Journal there follows a 
song in eight verses on the marching forth of the Bayreuth troops, and 
then a curious "Prayer on the Transfer of the Bayreuth-Anspach lands 
to Prussia." On the right hand is a column with the Lord's Prayer 
divided in an arbitrary fashion, on the left an address to King Frederick 
William the Second of Prussia. If that is read alone, he is praised ; 
but if the lines be read so as to include those of the Lord's Prayer, the 
whole meaning is changed into a bitter attack on the Prussian annexation. 
Then follow two entries, one dated August 9, 1795, the other May 2.5, 
1796 ; so that the writer seems to have been alive at that time. Bound 
up with this manuscript are three maps in ])encil : one of the Hudson 
from Fort Constitution to Esopus, and a legend that it shows the opera- 
tions of General Clinton in September and October, 1777, when he 
seized Forts Constitution, Montgomery, and Clinton, and destroyed 
them, while General Vaughn seized and burnt Esojms and brought 
away 400 head of cattle and 400 sheep ; 100 rehels were killed and 300 
captured, with 100 cannon, 12,236 pounds of powder, 1852 cartridges, 
much provision, and the chain stretched across the river ; the loss on 
the royal side included Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, 2 majors, the 
Polish Count of Grabowsky, Clinton's adjutant, 4 officers, and 41 
privates ; 13 officers and 144 soldiers wounded and 20 missing. The 
second map is a plan of the landing of General Howe and his brother 
at the point where the Elk River fi\lls into the Chesapeake, and the 
advance of General Knyphauseu to Cecil Court-House, and another 
column under Lord Cornwallis to Head of Elk, the two corps joining 
at Pencader September 3. The Americans left their position near 
Wilmington, the English came through Newark and camped at Ho- 
kessen. General Washington left his camp and seized the heights of 
the Brandy wine. On September 11 the two armies met and the Ameri- 
cans retreated to Chester, then crossed the Schuylkill. The Americans 
lost 300 killed, 600 wounded, 400 prisoners, and 11 cannon. The 

3 



4 Popp's Joimml, 1777-1783. 

English lost 1 brigadier-general, 1 lieutenant-colonel, 3 captains, 5 
lieutenants, 2 ensigns, 14 subalterns, and 183 soldiers killed ; 2 lieu- 
tenant-colonels, 1 major, 23 captains, 38 lieutenants, 15 ensigns, 64 
subalterns, 6 drummers, and 790 soldiers wounded, and 1 captain and 
19 soldiers missing ; altogether 1118 men. The map covers the territory 
from below Salem, on the Delaware, and Georgetown and Baltimore, on 
the Chesapeake, to Chester and Ephrata and Manheim and Lancaster 
and the Susquehanna, and has a small sketch of the positions of the 
Americans and English at the battle of the Brandywine, on September 
11, 1777. 

The third map is a plan of Philadelphia and vicinity as far as 
Frankford, Germantown, Meriou, and Darby, and of the attack on 
Fort Eed Bank on October 22, and the works on Fort Island, with 
the following legend: "Philadelphia and neighborhood: 1. Philadel- 
phia, with the lines of the Americans surrounding it. 2. The position 
of General Washington's camp between Germantown and the Schuylkill. 
3. Engagement of October 4, to the loss of the Americans. 4. Crossing 
of the Delaware by Colonel Donop at Cooper's Creek to dislodge the 
Americans from their entrenched position. 5. Fort Eed Bank, with the 
unsuccessful attack in which Colonol Donop and Lieutenant-Colonel 
Minnigeroda were wounded. 6. Fort Island. 7. Fort Mud Island, 
where the Delaware is blockaded by a Spanish barrier and sunken 
ships." They are evidently the work of a good German military 
engineer. A copy of this manuscript with the maps is in a private 
collection in Philadelphia.] 

1777. Janunri/ 26. — Lieut. Col. Sclilanmiersdorf [of the 
Guards] at 7 P.M. gave orders to Major von Seybothen' 
that all leaves should be recalled and all preparations com- 
pleted by working day and night, so a.s to be ready to move 
on a moment's notice. 

Febrtiarij 3. — Orders were issued that the Regiment should 
be ready to take the field in three weeks, — Col. von Voit ^ 
was assigned the command, and directed to fill the ranks 
■ndth young men from all the villages in the neighborhood. 
This excited the laments of fathers, mothers and families, 
who came every day to l)id farewell to their sons, brothers 

^ Franz Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Christian von Seybothen. 

^ When Colonel August Valentin Voit von Saltzburg took command 
of the regiment it consisted of five companies, including one of light 
infantry, one of grenadiers, and one of artillery. 



Popp's Jotmwl, 1777-1783. 5 

and friends. Some of the soldiers were glad, and I was of 
tlie number, for I had long wanted to see something of the 
world. Others were filled with grief and sorrow at leavino- 
home, and there was on their side sighing, while I and those 
of my way of thinking were enjoying the prospect of leaving 
our mother country for the new world. 

Fchru'irii 27. — At 6 P.M. we received our first English 
supplies and pay for five days in advance. 

Fcbrimry 28. — Reveille awakened us for our new service 
and the Generale was beaten to berin our march — that nieht 
the Regiment was quartered one half in Miiekendorf, the 
other half in Streiberg. 

Miirch 1. — Marched to Burgersdort. 

March ;?.— To Fiirth. 

March 3.— To Ketteldorf 

March 4- — To Anspach, where after inspection by the 
Prince, we were quartered on the citizens, remaining until — 

March 7 — when we marched to Birnheim. 

March 9. — To Ostenheim. 

March 10. — Put on board boats at Ochsenfurt, but so 
closely packed that manj' of the men both of the Anspach 
and Bayreuth regiments had to stand up all night. We 
sang hymns and had prayers. 

The next day we wave put on board ship and many of the 
men threatening to refuse, the non-commissioned ofhcers 
were ordered to use heavy whips to enforce obedience, and 
later to fire on the malcontents, so that some thirty men 
were wounded, — this so angered their comrades that they 
made a sharp attack on the Yagers and drove them off \vith 
the bayonet. Many men deserted from both Regiments, but 
six of them were recaptured and sent along to America. 
At last the Prince came on board and asked the men if they 
were not willing to go, — no one said no, — then he asked 
what they wanted, and there was a long string of requests, 
which the Prince said he would satisfy. Then we started 
on our voyage, in boats enough to make us comfortable, the 
Prince accompanying us. 



6 Popfs Joimial, 1777-1783. 

March 1^. — At Haiiau we got on larger ships. 

March 15. — We reached the River Rhine. 

March 16. — We sailed down the Rhine. 

March 25. — We took the oath of allegiance to the British 
King after reaching Nymwegen. 

March 27. — Went on board the English ships. 

Mair-h 28. — Were supplied with bedding for onr sea 
voyage ; each man got two heavy blankets, 2 light blankets, 
2 straw sacks, 3 pillows filled with hair, — after seeing us 
supplied and settled on board ship, the Prince bade us good 
bye and returned to his home. 

March 29. — Early in the morning we heard the sailors 
busy over our heads, but no soldier was allowed to go up on 
deck, — we were moved out to sea, and waited until 

March 31 — when the anchor was lifted, and we sailed for 
Portsmouth, England, — the sea grew rougher, the land dis- 
appeared, the men were suffering fi-om sea sickness, and 
many of them vowed to sin no more if they could only get 
safely on shore again. 

April 3. — We reached Portsmouth and stayed there five 
days, waiting for Hessian recruits. 

Ajml 7. — Our Fleet of 16 ships under escort of a 74 gun 
ship sailed on signal. 

May 2. — "We reached the Azores. 

June 3. — We reached the harbor of New York, after 
much stormy weather on the voyage. 

June 4- — The birthday of King George the 3'''' was cele- 
brated by guns fired on all the men of war and ships in the 
harbor, — over 300 in all. - 

June 7. — We landed on Staaten Island and went into 
Camp. Hardly had we settled for our first night on shore, 
before there was heavy firing, but nothing came of it. 

June 11. — We marched to Amboy and joined the army 
of Gen' Howe, meeting many German and English regi- 
ments on the way. 

June 12. — Made camp in Amboy, all looking hopelessly 
wasted and neglected. 



Popp's Journal, 1777-1783. • 

June i^.— The Hessiaa Yagers joined us. 
June £9.— The English army returned from Bruns\vick, 
which they had burned down, and we marched back to 

Staaten Island. 

July £3.— Alarm of an attack by the Rebels— they lost 
300 prisoners and many wountled and killed, many too were 
drowned in crossing the river. 

August ;g^.— The Prisoners of War were taken to New 

York. 

September 4..— A captain and 30 men deserted from the 
Rebels and enlisted in the British Army. 

September 11.— The Grenadiers made a foray in Jersey and 
brought back many head of cattle and negroes. 

September i9.— Six of our deserters were brought from 
Germany and rejoined vis. 

October 11.— The rebel Fort Montgomery was captured, 
—our Grenadiers lost Capt. von Eckert, who was buried 
in the German Evangelical Church in New York. 

Oetober IS.— Went on board ship to sail up the Noith 
River to Albany to help Gen' Burgoyne, who is besieged 

near there. 

October 17.— Re was obliged to surrender, having no sup- 
plies and no prospect of succor. 

October 2^. — We returned to New York. 

October 26. — Again embarked, part of a fleet of 40 sail 
under cover of 2 Frigates. 

October 29. — Sailed from Sandy Hook. 

November S».— Reached the River Delaware. 

Norember ii2.— Sailed up to Fort Billings [BilUngsport] 
which was cannonaded by six English men of war for three 
days and nights, until it surrendered. 

November 18. — Landed on the Jersey shore. 

November ^i.— Marched into the country, seizing many 
liead of cattle, but not venturing too far on account of the 

Rebels. 

Nocember ^5.— Moved near Fort Redbank, which had 
been lost by Col. Donop, owing to his attempt to take it 



8 Po2yj)'s Journal, 1777-1783. 

against too large a force,— he lost 180 men and 23 officers 
of the Hessian Regiments. We were 6000 strong with 
many ships in the River. The Rebels burned their ships 
and abandoned the Fort, so we were ferried over the river, 
and witli flags fljdng and bands playing marched through 
Philadelphia, but saw few people except negroes. 

December 4.— Geia' Howe with a force of from 12 to 13000 
men moved out to Germantown. 

December 5.—W& moved into the Camp of the English 
troops. 

December ,?.— Gen' Howe returned ^^^th a large supply of 
cattle, provisions and cannon captured from the Rebels. 

December IS.— We were cpiartered in old empty houses on 
Front St., the rooms were large, well papered, but very cold, 
ha\nng no stoves to heat them. 

December ^;?.— Moved across the Schuylldll in very cold 
weather,— lay all night in the open, although it was snowing, 
and our suppUes of food were very scanty. 

Deceinber ^6".- Returned to our old quarters in the city. 

1778. January ii?.— The English Major Zeidharss 0. 
Terwey took command [ ? ] . 

February ^.— A Rebel Picquet of 30 men were taken 
prisoners and ^^^th 30 captured officers brought into the city 
fi-om the outposts. 

March 28.—Go\. von Eyb of the Anspach Reg' came 
fi-om ISTew York with recruits fi-om New York. 

Ajyril 16.—Ma]ov v. Seyboth was made Colonel, and my 
Captain v. Beust' Major of the Reg'. 

April 16.— Gen' Clinton came from New York and took 
command of the entire English army. 

3fay 11.— Col V. Eyb and Lt. Sicliart lefl for Germany. 

May iP.— Marched to Germantown and joined the Eng- 
lish force there after 4J hours of heat and dust which ex- 
hausted our men,— Germantown is half an hour long and 
fiill of Germans. 

> Ernst Friedrich Carl von Beust, who was captured with the regiment 
at Yorktown. 



Popp's Jowmil, 1777-1783. 9 

Jane 8. — Marched outside the city to he re\aewedhy Lord 
Cornwalhti. 

June 10. — At 2 A.M. left Thihidelphia and emharked on 
a sloop the Betsy. 

June 11. — Passed Newcastle. 

June 18. — Arrived in the Hudson River, passing Staaten 
Island, anchored oflf New York, lay there until the 20"', — 
then moved through the East River to Long Island, — which 
supplies New York with food, for it is a fruitful country, 
rich in harvests of grain, fruit, cattle. The people are 
mostly Hollanders, loyal to the Crown and neutral in the 
War. "We lay near Hell Gate where Capt. v. Molitor's ^ 
servant fell overboard and was dro\\'iied. We were well 
fed and had beer every day, but the musquitoes were 
dreadful. 

Julti 9. — Sailed through Long Island Sound to Newport, 
in Rhode Island, where we landed. 

July 15. — Marched through the city and went into camp 
just beyond. The country is poor, but the fishing is the 
great industry. There are many wealthy people, and the 
women very handsome. 

July W. — Crossed over to Connanicut Island. 

July 29. — Returned to the mainland, on the report of a 
French fleet in sight, — all the batteries were fully manned. 

July SO. — The French fleet came into the harbor. 

August 5. — Many ships sunk in the harbor to keep out the 
French, — 3 Frigates were burned. 

August 8. — 8 French men of war engaged in a heavy 
cannonade ^\"ith the British ships and forts. Our fleet was 
busy signalling and many Rebels crossed at Bristol. 

August 10. — The French fleet left the harbor under heavy 
fire and sailed away. 

August 11. — Encamped on Tammany Hill ^ and made a 
strong position. Many of the Anspach Regiment deserted, 

' Christian Theodor Sigismund von Molitor, who surrendered at 
Yorktown. 

^ Tammany Hill covered the left flank of the British line. 



10 Popfs Journal, 1777-1783. 

rather than work hard, but we exchanged shots with the 
Rebels who were also strengthening their position. 

Amjuf-t 14- — Had a \nolent storm of rain and wind for 
forty-eight hours, the worst in all my cami/iaigns. 

Ai((jusl 17.— The Rebels, 20,000 strong, under Gen' Sul- 
livan were in full view. 

August 19. — Moved to the rear of Tammany Hill to es- 
cape the heavy fire of the Rebel guns. 

August 20. — The French fleet returned, 

August 22 — ^but sailed away again in the night. 

August 29. — A sharp engagement with tlie Rebels, at 7 
A.M. Adjutant General Lt. Milzenburg gave us orders to 
march, and \re soon came in view of the enemy, protected 
by stone walls, — we exchanged musketry fire until the cannon 
were in position and opened on them, — the enemy fell V)ack 
and we drove them to Windmill Hill, inflicting a heavy loss 
on them. 

August 30. — The enemy left the island, although we had 
only 6000 men, far less than their force. 

September 1. — Gen' Clinton came \ni\\ a fleet and troops to 
strengthen the British force, but as usual too late. 

September 3. — He sailed away again with ships and men. 

September 6. — Corporal Lindemeyer ' of Capt. v. Beust's 
Company was made 2°'' Lieutenant. 

September 19. — Admiral Byron arrived with a fleet of 10 
men of war, 7 Frigates and some small Galliots, — I Avas on 
board the Admiral's ship witli the Band of our Regiment. 

October 11. — 300 Recruits joined with 20 otficers, among 
them Lt. Frederic Nagler and C'haplain Erb - and Captain 
von Dieskau. 

October 18. — The chaplain preached from the 37"" Psalm. 

Octobef)' 29. — Went into winter quarters in Newport, in old 
empty houses, very badly suited, and the food worse, — little 
bread and that made of rice and Indian corn meal, — instead 
of meat bad flsh, and of that not enough to thrive on and too 

' Joliann Hermann Lindemeyer. 

'' Chaplain Johann Georg Philip Erb. 




C^5i 









OPERATIONS OF HOWE'S ARMY FROM 







D OF ELK TO THE BRANDYWINE, 







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PLAN OF PHILADEL 




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cUm 



\ND VICINITY. 



Popp's Journal, 1777-1783. 11 

much to die of starvation. We had to bake onr own bread 
out of wretched corn. 

December 14-. — Admiral Byron sailed for the West Indies. 
It began to snow on Christmas night and continued until the 
27*, the snow lay 3 to 4 feet deep, the cold was very severe, 
nine men of one of our regiments were frozen to death, 
twenty-three men had their hands and feet badly frostbitten, 
— a woman with two little children was fi'ozen to death in 
her house. Even the supply of drinking water was frozen. 

December 39. — Marched out into ihe country, — could buy 
only trozen potatoes at 2 Spanish Dollars the bushel, — for- 
tunately a boat brought meat and rum which helped us to 
stand the cold. 

1779. .January. — We got little food and that very poor. 

Fehruarii 19. — A supply of food fi'om New York. 

Minrli. — Half of the Regiment was sick with scorbutic dis- 
eases and many died. 

April 26. — Our arms and equipments arrived at last after 
being a year and more on the way. 

Jum 10. — Captain v. Seitz ' was promoted to be Major of 
the Anspach Regiment. 

Juhi 7. — Moved our Camp from Tammany Hill nearer to 
the town, and protected and decorated it with boughs and a 
hedge row. 

September IS. — Received orders and got ready to embark 

October 16 — on a fleet of transports for New York. 

October 22. — A Fleet of over 100 sail carried the entire 
army to New York. 

October 31. — Landed and went into camp in the Bowery 
— verj' cold in our tents. 

November 19. — Salutes tired in honor of victories in Georgia 
and the West Indies. 

Noeembcr 23. — On account of the cold broke camp and 
were quartered in an old brewery on the North River. 

' Captain Friedrich Philipp von Seitz, of the Grenadier company. 
He was captured at Yorktown. The account of his death at sea is re- 
lated farther on in this journal. 



12 Popfs Journal, 1777-1783. 

December 14-. — Our invalids were sent back to Germany. 

December 21. — Alarm caused by a rebel attack at Paulus 
Hook, which was resisted successfully. 

17S0. January. — The North River was frozen so hard 
that heavy guns were carried over the ice, — the cold weather 
lasted all the month. 

Jaimarij 12. — An English sentry was fi'ozen to death on 
his post. Many soldiers were fi-ost bitten in their quarters. 

January 15. — On report of a spy that the Rebels were 
moving on Amboy a large force was prepared to move there. 

January 16. — A force from several regiments moved to 
Panlns Hook and through Bergen and captured a rebel 
picket of 30 men. 

February 22. — A rumor that the English had captured a 
Spanish fleet fi'om Mexico for Cadiz with gold and silver to 
the value of £6 millions. 

March 24-. — Marched to Hackensack in New Jersey, 
plundered and destroyed and brought back gold and silver 
ware and furniture and clothing. 

3farch 25. — Started for Morristown, but the enemy at^ 
tacked us in force costing us some killed many wounded 
and more prisoners. 

April 8. — "Went to Hackensack for hay and straw, 
u May 10. — Reviewed by Gen' Kjiyphausen and many other 
officers. 

May 26. — Received news that Gen' Clinton had captured 
Charleston in South Carolina with Gen' Lincoln, 6000 men, 
200 cannon and many ships. 

June 4- — Celebrated the birthday of King George the 3"* 
of England. 

June 6. — Gen' Knjqihausen led a force of 6 to 7000 men 
over Staaten Island to attack the rebels at Elizabethtown, 
New Jersey. 

June 7. — Attacked the enemy vAih heavy loss on both 
sides, — moved to Springfield, destroying houses on the way, 
but losing many officers and men, especially of the German 
forces and in the Anspach Reg'. 



Popp's Journal, 1777-1783. 13 

June 8. — It took 3 boats to carry the wounded to New 
York. 

June 17. — Moved again under Gen' Knyphausen. 

June 19. — Were inspected and re\aewed by Gen' Clinton. 

June 23. — Attacked the enemy beyond Elizabethtown, 
drove them, but they stood up manfully like good soldiers 
with their light cannon, until our heavy guns and large force 
pushed them on both tlanks back to Springfield, where we 
burned houses and churches, — in one a hundred wounded, 
— but a spy brought word that Gen' Washington was on his 
way from Morristown with reinforcements, and on our way 
back we lost many men, from 4 to 500, — while the Rebels 
lost 400 killed and 300 wounded. Among our's were Capt. 
V. Roeder and Lt. Diemer.' We fell back all night, hungry 
and thirsty and tired, to Staaten Island, but a hea\'j' thunder 
storm kept us from rest. 

June 25. — Moved by water to King's Bridge and Fort 
Knyphausen and biouvacked at Phillippspoint, — sheltering 
ourselves from the great heat by boughs. 

July 1. — Received our tents from New York — went into 
Camp and extended our lines fi"om tlie North to the East 
River. Many of the Anspach and some of our Regiment 
deserted. 

Juhj 20. — Moved camp to Bloomiugdale. 

JuId 24-. — Marched to New York and went into camp in 
an orchard in the Bowery, — the shade of the trees was a 
great protection from the hot sun. 

July 25. — Gen' Hyhner - died and was buried the next 
day mth great military service. 

1 Captain Friedrich Wilhelm von Roeder and First Lieutenant Just 
von Diemer. 

' "On Tuesday the 25th inst. departed this life, Major General De 
Hayne, of the army of his Serene Highness the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel, 
in the 60th year of his age, aud 42d of his service in the armies of his 
Prince. He went with his Excellency Sir Henry Clinton, upon the last 
successful expedition against the rebels in South Carolina, and returned 
to this after the reduction of Charles Town ; but while there, he was 
attacked by a consumption, which eventually carried him ofl" to the 



14 Popfs Journal, 1777-1783. 

July 27. — Paymaster Herrenbauer ' of our's died. 

August 2. — A deserter Glatz of the Eyb Regiment, and 8 
days later one of the Anspach Regiment were shot. 

Scptemher 22. — Great celebration in ISTew York of Lord 
Oornwallis' defeat of Gen' Goetzseh [Gates ?] in South Caro- 
lina and the capture of his colors and cannon. 

Sqitemher 25. — Gen' Arnold of the Rebels arrived in New 
York on a shallop. 

October 9. — Gen' Arnold was gazetted a Brigadier General 
in the British army. 

October 15. — The Rebels hung Major Andre, Adjutant 
General, at Washington's Camp at Tappan, to our great 
grief. He ventured in other clothes than his uniform into 
the Rebel Camp, to spy out their strength at Fort Hany- 
beint [West Point] and to see where their Regiments were 
posted, so as to determine where it was best to attack them, 
— this he had discovered and was on his way back when at 
the last of the Rebel outposts he was stopped and asked 
what he was doing there, — he said lie was the son of a 
gentleman living near the river, but the guard said he knew 
no one of the name he gave, — he oftered money, as much 
as $1000, but the men took him to the post headquarters, 
there he was searched, and in his shoes were found the 
plans of the Fort, — he was tried by a Court Martial, found 
guilty of being a spy and was hanged, — he behaved with 

inexpressible regret of all tlie gentlemen of the British and Hessiau 
ai-my here, by whom his merit, as a most gallant officer, polite gentleman, 
and sincere friend, was highly valued. The many virtues he possessed 
endeared him to all who bad the honour to be intimate with him, and 
his death is universally lamented. Last Wednesday afternoon his funeral 
was attended by all the general officers in thi§ garrison, amongst whom 
were his Excellency Lieutenant General Eobertson, and Major General 
Tryon, Patison, Philips, Lossberg, and Hackenberg. The regiment of 
Donop, and a company of Anspach grenadiers, with three pieces of 
cannon, (from each of which three rounds were fired) marched to the 
place of interment, where his remains were deposited with the honours 
of war." — New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, July 31, 1780. 
' Herrenbaur had formerly been adjutant of the regiment. 




rac/HtcAl ^^rria,i an 
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PLAN OF THE BAT 













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\T WHITEMARSH. 



Popp's Journal , 1777-1783. 15 

great bravery, and said if lie had a thousand hves he 
would give them all for the Crown of England and Great 
Britain. 

Oefoher 18. — 150 recruits joined us, — they left Anspach 
on March 3''''. — We got orders to go into winter quarters. 

October 19. — Quartered in the same Brewery — Lippner's 
— where we spent the winter a year ago. The Anspach 
Regiment was quartered in a church in Bloomingdale. 

Norcmbcr 12. — A fleet of 200 ships \A\X\ pro\asions arrived 
from England. 

Nor ember '23. — An alarm on Staaten Island, that the 
Rebels were coming from Amboy with 8000 French from 
Rhode Island, and we were all in readiness to move, but 
nothing came of it. 

December 25. — A boat with 19 men was lost in a heavy 
storm in the East River. 

1781. Jiinuary 2. — The Rebels came in a Flag boat from 
Sandy Hook with 40 men and 4 cannon, up in the night to 
try to seize Gen' Clinton at his Head Quarters near the 
North River, but they \vere discovered and captured. 

Jununri/ 17. — Gen' Arnold in a fleet of 40 sail with a body 
of troops mostly volunteers [Free Corps ?] sailed for Vir- 
ginia to land and seize that region. 

January 24- — Invalided and disabled soldiers sent back to 
Germany. 

Jannnrji 25. — The Rebels made a foray in our lines, cap- 
tured many prisoners and cattle and plundered and burned 
our barracks at Maryfina [?]. 

February 4. — Gen' Clinton announced the safe arrival of 
Gen' Arnold in Virginia, and his capture of Richmond with 
many magazines. 

February 13. — A spy arrested in New York with letters 
hidden in his wig and the lining of his hat. 

March 18. — News that war had begun against Holland, 
Admiral Rodney captured the island of Eustachie, and an 
English fleet had sailed to the East Indies to seize the Dutch 
islands there. 



16 Popfs Journal, 1777-178S. 

April 28. — Great bonfires in Fort George in honor of Lord 
Cornwallis' victory over Gen' Greene in South Carolina. 

Ajyril 29. — Received orders to sail to Virginia and 

^April 30 — went aboard ship, making with the English 
troops a fleet of 30 sail. 

May 1. — Dropped down to Staaten Island, — the 43"'"' Reg' 
embarked with us. 

May 13. — Our fleet now counted 40 sail, — of these 13 
men of war, — one of them the London with 104 guns. 

May H. — The frigate Rohbook [Roebuck] after a long 
chase captured an American vessel fiill of meal. 

May 19. — Arrived in Chesapeake Bay, — in a heavy fog, 
and it was 12 hours after the other ships. 

3Iay SO. — Saw the coast of Virginia, — on one side Hamp- 
ton, on the other Ne^vfTOrt news, — sailed up the James River, 
— ^with fine farms on both banks, and rich crops of corn, 
tobacco, cotton [?] and orchards. 

31ay "22. — Heard of the death of the British General 
Phillips. 

3Iay 25. — Ordered back to Chesapeake Bay. 

May 27. — Landed at Norfolk and pitched our camp at 
Portsmouth, — plenty of flsh and oysters, and caught crabs 
after the rain in our tents [?] . Norfolk was a pretty town, 
but it was burned down by the Rebels. - >'x</-v<t,c>L ''.a-il^ 

Jnm 11. — A negroe was arrested for poisoning our wells, 
by his master's order, — who escaped, — many of the English 
soldiers died. 1\\ Portsmouth Lord Cornwallis had over 
a thousand negroes, employed to cut wood, work on the 
trenches etc. 

June 20. — Gen' Leslie issued an order cautioning the 
soldiers against exposing themselves by day to the sun or by 
night to the heavy dew. "We were ordered to send every 
8 days 100 men to protect the lines at Great Bridge, 12 
miles out, — with its 4 guns, sheltered in a heavy forest. 

June 26. — A force of 30 of our men were sent to attack 
a rebel outpost 30 miles from Norfolk — it was taken with 
20 prisoners and 4 guns dismounted. 



Popp's Journal, 1777-178S. 17 

Juhj 11. — Made a raid into the country and brought back 
cattle and other provisions. 

July 15. — Went aboard ship and were kept for 12 days 
moving and anchored alternately. 

July 29-31. — Reached Yorktown, — a little village, — 
most of the owners of the houses had left them, — opposite 
is Gloucester. 

August 1. — Landed and went into camp. Lord Corn- 
wallis was already here with most of his army, — only a small 
force left in Portsmouth. 

August 11. — Trenches dug and lines thrown up in Glou- 
cester, 

August 24- — and in Yorktown too, — but there are reports 
that we are in a very bad situation. 

August 26. — A French Fleet has arrived fi'om the West 
Lidies, — men of war and transports with troops — day and 
night we are at work strengthening our lines, — have hardly 
time to eat and little food, — but we are getting ready to 
make a stout defence. 

August 31. — The French ships are in full view — landed 
many troops from Rhode Island — French soldiers and rebels 
are marching fi-om the James River and Williamsburg, we 
are in daily expectation of an attack by laud and by water, 
— our ships landed all their stores, — their guns put on our 
lines, fire ships got ready, — every preparation made aa 
rapidly as possible. 

September 2. — Four French men of war guarded all the 
approaches. Much sickness in our force — 1300 said to be in 
the hospitals. 

September 4- — Lt. Schiihardt ' of our's died. Our camp 
moved forward, so as to be out of reach of the heavj' guns of 
the French men of war. 

September 14.. — The woods in our ft-ont cut down to pre- 
vent the enemy from attacking our position. All roads 
blocked. Tarleton's Corps and the Light Infantry sent out 
every day on patrol. 

' Second Lieutenant Carl Gottfried Schuchard. 
2 



18 Popfs Journal, 17 77 -17 83. 

September 19. — Reports that the enemy liad sent a large 
force by small boats from Baltimore. Many houses torn 
down to strengthen our lines. Palisades and deep trenches 
put in front. Powder magazines protected. All prepara- 
tions made for a stout resistance. 

September i?i?. — At night 5. fireships were started to attack 
four French ships, but the French raised anchor and moved 
out, while the tireships burned up and did no harm, — the 
Captain is reported to have set fire to them too soon. 

September 28. — Alarm in camp of an attack, — struck our 
tents, sent all baggage into the town. 

September 29. — One of our men killed and two wounded 
— many of the English and Hessians too, — at night moved 
into our lines, as the enemy was advancing on them, — 3 of 
our men deserted to them. 

September SO. — A wounded rebel Colonel captured by our 
light horse. The rebels made three attacks on our right 
redoubt, but were driven back by our batteries and the fire 
of our frigates, — with heavy loss. The French sent a flag 
of truce asking leave to bury the dead and carry off the 
wounded, — this was granted, provided they came without 
arms, — this they agreed to, and the dead were buried, the 
wounded removed to Williamsburg where there were hos- 
pitals, — their loss was over 440, — we have had a trying 
month, — much labor and little food. 

October 1. — The enemy strengthened his lines, working 
day and night, — but had no guns in position, so with 
our's we fired and destroyed as much of their work as 
possible, but we had no rest — always waiting for the 
alarm. 

October 9. — Still no firing by the enemy, although we kept 
discharging our guns at them, — the French protected their 
lines with sand bags, our batteries too were sheltered. De- 
serters came over, telling us that Gen' Washington had 
come from Jersey by way of Baltimore, with 8 to 10000 
men, regulars and militia, and had joined Gen' Greene, — 
the French were commanded by the Count Rochambeau, 



Popjfs Journal, 1777-1783. 19 

the Marciiiis de la Fayette, the Priuce of Saarbruck [Deux- 
Ponts] — -15,000 strong, some German Regiments among 
tliem. 

October 9. — At 3 P.M. tlie enemy opened from their left a 
heavy cannonade on our right^ — with a battery sheltered in 
a wooded hill, 18 and 24 pounders. At night their right 
opened fire on our left, and set on fire a frigate, which was 
burnt up. 

October 10. — The heavy fire forced us to throAV our tents 
in the ditches, — the enemy threw bombs, 100, 150 and 200 
pounders, — ^their guns were 18, 24 and 48 pounders, — we 
could find no refuge in or out of the town, — the people fied 
to the water side and hid in hastily contrived shelters on the 
banks, but many of them were killed by the bursting bombs. 
More than 80 were thus lost, besides many wounded and 
their houses utterly destroyed. Our ships suffered too, — 
under the heavy fire, for the enemy fired in one day 3600 
shot from their heavy guns and batteries. Soldiers and sailors 
deserted in great numbers, — the Hessian Regiment v. Bose 
Irit heavil}", although it was in our rear, in the second line, 
" ^. full range of the enemy's fire, — our two regiments 
jst very heavily too, — the Light Infantry posted at an angle 
had the worst position and heaviest loss, — sailors and marines 
all served in defending our lines on shore. 

October 11. — A transport ship was fired by the enemy's 
guns and burned. 

October 12. — Another transport ship burned. 

October 13. — The enemy lessened tlieir fire, but worked 
steadily strengthening their lines, bringing them nearer and 
nearer, and armed another battery with 16 heavy guns, 86, 
42 and 48 pounders. 

October H. — Heavy attack in force, — the enemy seized one 
of our redoubts and made an attack on our right wing, but 
were forced back with heavy loss, — then attacked our left, 
and the French grenadiers stormed our line, without firing 
a shot, captured a hundred of our men on the advanced 
line, killed and wounded those who refiised to surrender, — 



20 Popp's Journal, 1777-1783. 

made a great uoiae with their shouting, seized our lines and 
turned them, and with 3 or 4000 men held them. Our 
whole force was sent forward to strengthen our left, for a 
general attack was ordered and we could distinctly hear and 
understand the orders given in German to the enemy's 
German troops, — we did our best to save our guns and to 
keep the enemy at bay. 

October 15. — Heavy firing on both sides — 

October 16. — Between 3 and 4 A.M. Major Anderson led 
some 200 of the Light Infantry in an attack on the enemy's 
lines, — directed on their centre, where there was a battery 
of 14 guns, — but by his quickness he was able to return 
with no very heavy loss, — at day break the enemy opened 
fire from a new battery of 18 guns, and it was the severest 
we had yet had. Our sick and wounded were carried over 
to Gloucester. We saw another battery going up on our 
right, wth 10 Bombs and 24 to 32 Pounders, and knew 
that it would soon open fire. That night the Light Lifantry 
was sent to Gloucester, and our two Regiments replaced them 
in their exposed position in the advance wnth 300 men, — 
' the hope was to force a way through on the Gloucester side 
and beat a retreat to Maryland, for it was plain that our posi- 
tion was no longer tenable unless we had reinforcements. 
We had no rest or sleep, for the enemy kept up heavy firing 
and pushed their lines forward within a stone's throw, with a 
battery of 14 guns and approaches and trenches so well 
made that it was only a matter of a few daj's before we 
would be completely surrounded and hemmed in under 
their concentrated fire. 

Octobei- 17. — The enemy opened a hea\-ier fire than at any 
time and from all sides at once. The Light Lifantry re- 
turned from Gloucester, reporting that it was impossible to 
escape in that direction, for it was all closely surrounded by 
the enemy, — French and American soldiers covering every 
outlet. Lord Cornwallis himself visited the works and saw 
how near the enemy had come. He returned to his head- 
quarters and at once sent the first flag of truce, which was 



Pojyp's Journal, 1777-1783. 21 

very civilly treated. The English troops at once began to 
destroy their tents, ruin their arms, and prepare for sur- 
render. At 12 o'clock another ilag of truce was sent, — 
tiring ceased, — there were messages going through the lines, 
and we were all heartily glad the fighting was over. To- 
wards 7 P.M. there was a violent explosion of one of our 
magazines, — some of the English soldiers sent to till bombs 
with powder there had drunk too mucli brandy, were care- 
less, and set fire, which cost 13 lives, — among them an 
Anspach soldier standing guard near by. 

October 18. — Quiet all day, while flags of truce were 
coming and going, negotiating terms of surrender. 2 French 
ships took position near the Hessian lines. 

October 19. — The terms of surrender finally agreed on. 
At 12 M. our lines were withdrawn and the French and 
Americans marched in and took possession of our works, 
lines, magazines, and storehouses, — nothing was disturbed, 
and our arms and equipments were left to us. Everything 
was done in regular military way. We were heartily glad 
the siege was over, for we all thought there would be another 
attack, — if Gen' Cornwallis had delayed the surrender, the 
French Grenadiers were to lead it, — during the siege the 
enemy had fired more than 8000 great bombs, of from 100 
to 160 and 200 pounds. On the day of the surrender 
Corporal Popp was promoted to Lieutenant. The force 
that surrendered consisted of the following troops : 

EiH/lish : 

The Royal Guards (S"" Reg'.) 43d., 17th, 23d., 80th, 70th 
(or Scottish Greens), 71st (or Scottish Wliites), The Light 
Infantry — six battalions, but weak in numbers, — they were 
fine young fellows, picked out fi"om all the Regiments; the 
Royal American Rsingers, a Squadron of English Light 
Horse, — Tarleton's, the Carolina Militia, two companies of 
English Cannoniers and Engineers, 60 men ; a force of Pon- 
toniers, — Carpenters and Bridge builders ; the sailors and 
marines belonging to the ships. 



22 Popfs Journal, 1777-1783. 

German Troops : 

The two Anspach Regiments, von Voigt's and Seyboth's, 
with Artillery and Yagers ; Hessian Regiments, the Crown 
Prince's and v. Bose's, with their Artillery and Yagers. 

The Offfcers : Lord Cornwallis, Lt. Gen' : General O'Hara ; 
Cols. V. Voigt and Seyboth ; 14 Lt. Cols. ; 16 Majors ; 97 
Captains; 180 Lieutenants: 55 Ensigns; 4 Chaplains; 10 
Adjutants; 18 Quarter Masters; 18 Doctors; 25 Feld- 
scherer [army surgeons] ; 385 'Ron Commissioned Officers ; 
79 Musicians; 6339 Soldiers; 1 Town Major; 1 Commis- 
sary; 1 Quartermaster Sergeant, — in all 7247. — 

There were 44 Deserters during the siege, most of them 
from our two Regiments. 

The Artillery : 37 Brass Guns; 51 Iron; 15 Mortars; 29 
Bombs; 31 Field Forges; 5 Ship's Guns, 169 in all.— 24 
Flags and Standards — £2113 in the War Chest. 

Provisions : 

59 Casks Salt Meat; 97 Casks Meal ; 18 Casks Rum ; 43 
Casks French "Wine and Brandy ; Sugar ; Tea ; Chocolate 
etc., on the Dutch ships in the harbor, in camp and in the 
Magazines, besides the supplies burned on the ships valued 
at £9600. 

Of munitions of war there were left only 23 kegs of 
powder. 

The Ships surrendered were : 3 Frigates ; 5 Fire Ships ; 39 
Transports; 6 American vessels captured by us; 19 Row- 
boats and sailboats; 7 Private Ships; 2 Dutch Merchant- 
men ; 1 Cruiser of 20 guns, — in all 82, -with 840 men. 

Our dead and wounded were 753, — ^in our two regi- 
ments 47. 

October 19.— At 3-4 P.M. all of Lord Cornwallis' troops, 
with all our personal eftects and our side arms, colors covered, 
marched out of our lines on the Williamsburg road, between 
the Regiments of the enemy, which were all drawn up, with 



Popp's Journal, 1777-1783. 23 

colors tlying and bunds playing, — our drums beating, — the 
French were on our right in parade, their General at the 
head, — fine looking young fellows the soldiers were, — on 
our left the Americans, mostly regular, but the Virginia 
militia too, — but to look on them and on the others was like 
day and night. We were astonished at the great force and 
we were only a Corporal's Gruard compared to their over- 
whelming numbers. They were well supplied and equipped 
in every way. We were marched to a level plain, where 
the French Hussars formed a circle around us, and there we 
lay down our arms etc. All the French and American 
Generals were there. — Count Rochambeau, the Marquis De 
La Fayette, the Prince of Saarbriick, [Deux-Ponts] , Gen' 
Washington, Gen' Greene, Gen' Sumter, who showed great 
kindness to our men. After depositing our arms, we 
marched back to our camps and had leave to go where we 
pleased. The French were very friendly, the Americans 
too. — No one was allowed to go into our Camp — The French 
mounted guard and patrol over it. Lt. Hayder ' [.s/r] of 
our's returned and told ns how he and some English and 
German troops had been taken prisoners. 

October 20. — Remained ^\'ithin our lines. The French 
hoisted white tlags on our ships, the Americans on our 
ditches around Yorktown. We got no bread, but only 
flour, — no rum, only water. 

October 23. — At 3 P.M. marched as prisoners of war 
out of Yorktown, guarded by the Virginia Militia under 
Gen' Loesen [?] and Major Jamens [?], — marched 5 or 6 
miles, camped in the open air, — our tents were left behind, 
— but we were glad to get oft" so well, — our ofiicers were 
allowed to keep their swords. 

October 24.. — Marched through Williamsburg and went 
into camp on a hill beyond it, and got our first supply of 
provisions from the Americans, — fresh meat, meal etc., we 
got wood and water in the town. A good many of our 
deserters came to see us, but we gave them a rough welcome 
' Query, First Lieutenant Moritz Wilhelm von der Heydte. 



24 Po/7//s Jovriwl, 1777-1783. 

to show our contempt. Much provision was brought for 
Bale by the farmers, who were glad to get our silver for it. 
WilliarnHburg is an attractive place, with good buildings, 
cliurch with steeple, town hall and prison all built of brick. 
The French and Americans had hospitals here for their sick 
and wounded and kept thern well guarded. 

October 22-2o. — Marched 18-20 Virginia miles, — two of 
thern make one of our's. 

October 26. — Reached Fredericksburg, — where we found 
a good many Germans settled — went 2 miles beyond and 
camped on the banks of a fresh water stream the ' Krappa 
Hannah' \jfk for Itappahannock], named after the first set^ 
tiers, — the Germans call it the Hannah River, — it is the 
dividing line between old and new Virginia. [?] — Provisions 
were offered us cheap but we ha^l no money — There are a 
good many Indians still in New Virginia, — and only seven 
years ago, they fell on the farmers and settlers near Win- 
chester. We had wretehed weather, rain every day, poor 
provisions. 

October 31. — We rested for a day. 

NoverrJier 1. — Crossed the river and marched through 
Falmouth. 

Notmiber 2. — Part of our force was sent t/> Maryland, 
Fort Frederick, — including the two Hessian Regiments, 
Crown Prince and Bose. 

NoreffJier 3. — Saw the high blue mountains on our left. 
Noi:emt/er /f.. — Crossed the River Scandar or .Jonathan, 
[m] in some places it wa8 very deep, and cold and wet 
with little fcKjd we had to march to keep warm — 

Noi'eriiher o. — Reached Winchester — a poor tf^wn in a poor 
country — many German settlers — we went four miles further 
to Fort Frederick Barracks in a thick wood, — a wretxjhed 
place. It was built of logs, filled in with clay, loose in 
many places, — every where going to pieces, nowhere pro- 
tected from rain and dew, — snow and wind drove in, — 
the open fire filled it with smoke, — we went to the neigh- 
boring farmers and borrowed shovels and hatehets and saws 



Popp's Jourual, 1777-178S. 25 

and at last made ourselves at least some shelter. Each 
hut was tilled with from 32 to 36 men, — we had been 
marching 20 days in making 240 ^^rginia miles from York- 
town. We had no bread, only meal with which to make it. — 
twice we got salt meat, once fresh meat and salt. We were 
left free to come and go as we liked, many got work on the 
neighboring l^irms, and we were often dependent on what 
we got tliere for food. Hunger and cold we endured 
often. 

1782. Jiwuary M. — Orders to march after 11 weeks in 
Winchester. The English prisoners left for Fredericktow^l 
in Maryland, thence to go to Lancaster, in Peimsylvania, 
the birth place of the wife of our Captain v. Keitxcnstein, 
— her maiden name was Schenkmayer. 

January 27. — Marched from the Barracks at 10 A.M. 
under orders of Col. Hanson and WixhU of the local militia. 
Our sick remained behind as well as those who were working 
on the farms around. The people don't like our G«rman 
soldiers, although some of our ofticers got married and took 
their wives homo to Germany. Some oi our officers went 
to Philada. and tried to get Congress to release ns, but did 
not pucceed. From Winchester to Fredcricktown 40 miles, — 
the tiret day we marched 12 miles and lay in the open lield 
all night, in the snow : we built big tires, but could not keep 
warm in the cold weather. AVc were badly clothed, — had 
neither shoes nor stockings. — many sold their equipments 
to get food, — our clothes were in rags. — there were no go<."»d 
coats or breeches in the two Regiments. — 

January 28. — Marched 9 mile^, — forded the Opequan [?] 
and halted half frozen for half .an hour. 

January 29. — Reached Schipperston on the River Bett 
Thonimak [Shepherdstown on the Potomac]. The river 
was frozen, so that we could not cross either in boats or on 
the ice. and it was fearfully cold. — fortunately we lay under 
a hill which kept oft" the wind. The tires we made did not 
keep us warm and we had to keep mo^•ing all night. Then 
the Militia Colonel on horseback, its feet wrapped up in rags, 



{ 

26 Po2)p's Journal, 1777-1783. 

of which we had a plentiful supply, led us over the river 
which was frozen aolidly. 

January SO. — We got men and baggage wagons safely 
over, — the farmers said they had never seen the river so 
frozen. — We marched to Sharpsburg, 4 miles, — were quar- 
tered in the houses, — most of the owners were Germans 
and very kind to us, — gave us good food and warm rooms, 
and our supplies came from Fredericktown, — I got one 
night's good sleep and it rested me. 

Jamianj 31. — Marched early and reached Middletown at 
noon, — 12 miles off, — and then 9 miles more brought us to 
Fredericktown that night. Were quartered in the stone 
barrack, — built by the King of England and very comfort- 
ably arranged. The town is well laid out, houses built of 
brick, — two churches, one German Lutheran, the other 
German Reformed, — with towers and organs, and bells, — 
besides those of the Dunkers, the Catholics and the English 
Reformed, — but these have no towers or bells or organs. 
The people are mostly Germans from Suabia, some are the 
exiled Salzburgers. Our quarters were in bad condition, 
except those in the Poor House. 

Fehnumj 1. — The English troops started for Lancaster in 
Penna., — and the two German Regiments, Crown Prince 
and Bose, were brought from the Poor House into the 
Barracks. 

Februarii 36. — Finally got into our own quarters — the half 
of the Anspach Regiment was moved down, and the Bay- 
reuth Regiment was one half up, the other half down stairs. 
We got very impatient from our crowded condition, — 46 
men in one little room, — we could not keep clean. 

April SO. — Our clothing was hardly decent, and fortu- 
nately a fi-esh supply came, mth our pay for five months, — 
we celebrated the birthdays of our Prince and Princess with 
an illumination of 2 or 300 lights, — many people came fi-om 
the town to see it. We finally made our rooms warm and 
comfortable. 

17S3, — Learned of peace between England and the Prov- 



Popp's Journal, 1777-1783. 27 

iiices of North America, — could not at first believe the news 
told us by some of our men, until it was confirmed by 
people of the town. The two Companies of Militia got 
orders to go home — we heard the bells of the town ringing 
and the people hurraing and the two Militia Companies 
marched through the town with white flags as emblems of 
peace. Then came a message from Philadelpliia to the 
Commander of the Militia in Fredericktown, which he sent 
us. The Keformed Church celebrated peace on the 13"", — 
Palm Sunday, and the Pastor preached on a text from Judges 
verse 24. On the 3'* day of the Easter holidays there was 
a general celebration, — cannon firing all day, — the two City 
Companies and the Militia paraded with white flags with thir- 
teen stripes for the thirteen Colonies. Our American guard 
was ^\athdrawn and we were left quite fi-ee. The American 
oflicers and gentlemen gave a great ball, — at 9 P.M. there were 
flre works, — which our cannoniers made, — the whole towii 
was illuminated and there was a great flre of small arms, — we 
shared in the rejoicing, for we knew we should soon be free. 

Man-h 13. — At last after nineteen months we are free, — 
marched into Pennsylvania, passed the Maanachges [Mo- 
nocacy] River, had a fierce thunder, rain and wind storm, — 
we marched for nineteen days and finally reached Staaten 
Island, rested a day, then under orders from New York, 
crossed to Long Island, — marched to Springfield, lay there 
in the Farm houses several days, without any duty, then got 
guns and sabres and were regularly assigned to our position 
as part of the army again. 

May 3. — Orders to go on board ship with our baggage. 

3Iaii 5. — Left Springfield, but after an hour's march were 
halted for the night until the baggage was loaded on the ship. 

May 6. — Went on board ship to our great delight. 

May 11. — At break of day with cannon firing we sailed 
and were soon out of sight of New York, — we had another 
ship in company, at 3 P.M. were out of sight of land. — 
Soon lost sight of the other ship. 

May 12. — Our ship is the Sibilla, — captured by the Eng- 



28 Popfs Journal, 1777-1783. 

lieh from the French, — ^it was a Frigate of 32 gune, — quite 
new and well equipped. "We had at first favorable weather, 
but the head winds flooded the ship with water, and 40 men 
had to pump day and night to keep it out, for it filled from 
5 to 8 feet, — the ship had received 18 cannon shot when it 
was taken, and some of these were still open, so we worked 
with a will to keep her afloat. 

May 22 — The weather grew stormier and the ship's car- 
penter said he might have to cut away the mainmast to 
keep the ship steady. 

May 23. — The storm grew worse and worse — Our Field 
carpenters were called on deck to help the sailors cut away 
the mast, — and after that was done the storm broke, but we 
had to keep at the pumps, while a jury mast was rigged up. 
The women and many of the men were dreadfully frights 
ened. Our Major von Seitz was very ill and his life des- 
paired of — 

September 1. — He died — and after waiting until 

September 5 — was buried at sea. Tavo hours later and 
we saw land, — but it was the Scilly Islands, and we had to 
keep out at sea, for many vessels had been wrecked and 
plundered there. At 10 P.M. met a ship from Portsmouth 
and warned it of the dangers of the Scilly Islands. 

September 6. — At 3 P.M. were oft' Plymouth and fired for 
a Pilot, but he told us we could not get into the harbor on 
account of tlie fog, so we kept on — and finally reached 
Portsmouth and were soon safely anchored. We were 
warmly greeted by the other transports for it was reported 
that we had been lost. — 

September 13. — Were put on another ship, — the Sibilla 
had carried 834 soldiers, Vjesides women and children. We 
were now divided and half put on another transport. The 
Sibilla was condemned. — 

September 19. — Set out for Bremen, after taking a 
pilot. 

September 26. — Anchored in the Thames and were be- 
calmed for several days. 



Popp'.i Jourmd, 1777-1783. 29 

Ovtohcr 1. — Sailed at last and then saw the German coast, 
— our men were delighted to be near home again. 

October 4- — In sight of shore and saw the villages — 

October 7. — Reached Bremerlee and anchored — ate our 
last English pro\a8ions. 

October 8. — Got into small sail boats, — in doing so the wife 
of one of the soldiers fell into the A\'ater with 400 Spanish 
Dollars, — and was lost. 

October 10. — Reached Bremen, — remained there eight 
days. 

Octobe)- 18. — Embarked in boats drawn by horses. 

October 22. — Hoyen. 

October 24- — Nimburg. 

October 25 — Stolzenau. 

October 26. — Schlisselburg. 

October 27. — Petershagen. 

October 28. — Minden. 

Novembei' 2. — Hameln. 

November 17. — Left our boats and marched until 

December 10 — when we reached Bayreuth. 

The author hegs his reader to excuse his bad spelling, and 
to preserve his little book, for it gave him pleasure to recall 
his campaign in America. 



POPP'S 



JOURNAL 



1777-1783 



BY 

JOSEPH G. ROSENGARTEN 



Reprinted from the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 



April and July, igo2 



PHILADELPHIA 
1902 



